Stories Outside the Lines: American Indian Ledger Art

The Heard journeys beyond the Southwest in this exhibit, which has been expanded from its original showing at the Heard Museum North Scottsdale.

Ledger book drawing began in the late 19th century when several tribes of the Great Plains were relocated by the U.S. government. Many of their cultures had traditions of recording events on animal hides using natural pigments.

Confined to a reservation or faced with imprisonment, Indians turned to the materials they had available to them â€“ ledger books and pencils, provided by traders and government agents â€“ to record events and past achievements in their lives.

The tradition has continued through the years as contemporary artists create stories and scenes inspired by these artists from long ago.

Our Mission

The mission of the Heard Museum is to be the worldâ€™s preeminent museum for the presentation, interpretation and advancement of
American Indian art, emphasizing its intersection with broader artistic and cultural themes.